WO/2023/062620 | WATER-EFFICIENT SURFACE CLEANING METHOD AND SYSTEM |
WO/2016/111169 | SELF-PROPELLED ELECTRONIC DEVICE |
WO2015106142A1 | 2015-07-16 |
US20170369032A1 | 2017-12-28 | |||
US20100162515A1 | 2010-07-01 | |||
US20140082884A1 | 2014-03-27 |
THE CLAIMS: 1. An improved commercial cleaning apparatus with locating services, the improved commercial cleaning apparatus including: a body including a cleaning end; a cleaning means, associated with the body cleaning end, connected to a power source and operable by controls to provide cleaning to surfaces; a locating means associated with the body to provide locating information of the improved commercial cleaning apparatus, wherein the improved commercial cleaning apparatus is used in the usual manner and the location and nature of the use is recorded through use of the locating means. 2. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more portable power unit provide the power source. 3. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus of claim 2, wherein a plurality of swappable power units provide the power source. 4. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus of claim 3, wherein there are 2, 4 or 6 power units, to provide the power source, so that portable power can be provided to the improved commercial apparatus for an extended period by swapping the power units. 5. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus of claims 3 or 4, wherein each power unit provides a particular time of cleaning. 6. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus of claim 5, wherein each power unit provides substantially 60 minutes of cleaning. 7. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein a number of swappable power units are provided to enable cleaning to be carried out for substantially 360 minutes. 8. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a long handle is included and the body is configured to be pushed over the surface by use of the long handle. 9. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a handle is included and operation is through use of controls on the handle. 10. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the commercial cleaning apparatus is a fully portable vacuum cleaner, including portable power source. 11. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the locating means enables the geographical location of the apparatus to be known, remotely. 12. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the locating means enables communication of data via wireless networks, from the apparatus, the data being accessible likewise through the cloud or wireless networks. 13. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus of claim 12, wherein the data includes the length of time operational, in order that the power unit charge, and maintenance schedule requirements can be monitored remotely through a remote management system. 14. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a management system is included, including access to the Cloud data so that the cleaning apparatus may be monitored remotely. 15. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the locating means is a geographical beacon locator. 16. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein an internet of things (“IOT”) unit is included to enable wireless communication between the apparatus and a management system with access via wireless networks or the Cloud. 17. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus of claim 16, wherein the IOT unit monitors any one or more of the following features: expenditure on unit so far; geographical location of the apparatus; if the apparatus is operational; if the apparatus is running; run time; motor running time; kind of operation the apparatus is undertaking; spare parts replaced; warranty status; warranty time remaining; and a combination thereof. 18. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according any one of claims 12, 13, 16 or 17, wherein the data can be accessed through a remote website or similar to enable management of the apparatus. 19. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein a maintenance schedule can be based around the real use of the apparatus and actual use data provided from the IOT unit through the wireless networks. 20. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus of claim 19, wherein when a particular apparatus has been used for a length of time and needs servicing, this can be recognised by the management system, and through the locating means the particular cleaning apparatus to be serviced can be readily located geographically, for example, at which office or building the apparatus is stored, so the apparatus can be found readily, serviced and parts replaced to act against potential apparatus failure. 21. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the apparatus requires spare parts and the spare parts are replaced accordingly to a schedule according to the length of time of actual use as reported from the IOT unit through wireless networks to the management system. 22. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus of claim 21, wherein the spare parts are automatically ordered or flagged for ordering when the recommended maximum use time is approaching, through use of the IOT unit and management system. 23. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein a swivel joint is included between a handle part and the cleaning end of the apparatus, so that a user can drive the cleaning end in any desired direction on the surface for efficient cleaning. 24. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein one or more magnetic attachments are used for parts of the apparatus, to enable ready replacement. 25. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus of claim 24, wherein magnetic attachments are used for replaceable parts of the apparatus whereby spare parts may be readily replaced through use of the magnetic attachments. 26. An improved commercial cleaning apparatus with a swivel joint, the improved commercial cleaning apparatus including: a body including a cleaning end and a handle end; a cleaning means, associated with the body cleaning end, connected to a power source and operable by controls to provide cleaning to surfaces; and a swivel joint between the cleaning end and the handle end, enabling swivelling of the cleaning end and associated cleaning means in substantially 180 degrees, wherein the improved commercial cleaning apparatus is used in the usual manner and the change of direction of cleaning is readily possible due to the swivel joint. 27. An improved commercial cleaning apparatus with locating services, the improved commercial cleaning apparatus including: a body including a handle end and a cleaning end; a cleaning means, associated with the body cleaning end, connected to a power source with multiple swappable power units, and the cleaning means is operable by controls to provide cleaning to surfaces; a locating means associated with the body to provide locating information of the improved commercial cleaning apparatus; replaceable spare parts for service maintenance, replaceable through use of a magnetic connections, wherein the improved commercial cleaning apparatus is used in the usual manner and the location and nature of the use is recorded through use of the locating means, and when maintenance is noted by the management system, the machine and location are identified, and the required spare parts can be readily removed and replaced through use of the magnetic connections, and the long power life and easy manoeuvrability of the apparatus are suitable for commercial cleaning applications. 28. An improved commercial cleaning apparatus with locating services, the improved commercial cleaning apparatus including: a body including an elongated wand with a handle end with apparatus controls at one end, and a cleaning end at the other; a cleaning means for cleaning floors including one or more brushes, associated with the body cleaning end, connected to a power source with multiple swappable power units able to provide many hours of use when used together, and the cleaning means is operable by the apparatus controls to provide cleaning of the floors; a swivel joint between the handle end and the cleaning end to enable substantially 180 degree rotation of the cleaning end through use of the handle for precision cleaning; and a locating means associated with the body to provide locating information of the improved commercial cleaning apparatus including length of time of use of the apparatus, wherein the improved commercial cleaning apparatus is fully portable and wireless, so it may be used in the usual manner, and has the benefits of the location and nature of the use of the apparatus being sent through use of the locating means to a remote management system whereby maintenance is schedule and if required spare parts may be exchanged through use of magnetic attachment means, and the long power life and easy manoeuvrability are suitable for commercial cleaning applications. 29. An improved commercial cleaning apparatus with locating services and management system including: a body including an elongated wand with an ergonomic handle end, with apparatus controls at one end, and a cleaning end at the other; a cleaning means for cleaning floors including one or more brushes, associated with the body cleaning end, connected to a power source with 6 or more multiple swappable power units able to provide substantially 360 minutes or more cleaning time by swapping the power units, and the cleaning means is operable by the apparatus controls to provide cleaning of the floors; a swivel joint between the handle end and the cleaning end to enable substantially 180 degree rotation of the cleaning end through use of the handle for precision cleaning; and a locating means associated with the body to provide locating information of the improved commercial cleaning apparatus including geographical location, building, level in building, length of time of use of the apparatus, kind of use of apparatus, wherein the improved commercial cleaning apparatus is fully portable and wireless, so it can be used in the usual manner, and has the benefits of the known location and nature of the use of the apparatus being sent through to a remote management system whereby maintenance is scheduled and if required spare parts exchanged through use of magnetic attachments, and the long power life and easy manoeuvrability are suitable for commercial cleaning applications. 30. An improved commercial cleaning apparatus with extended power, the improved commercial cleaning apparatus including: a body including a cleaning end; a cleaning means, associated with the body cleaning end, operable by controls to provide cleaning to surfaces; a power source including multiple power units whereby 6 or more power units can be removably installed, wherein the improved commercial cleaning apparatus is used in the usual manner and the location and nature of the use and extended use time of substantially 360 minutes is achieved through use of the multiple power units that may be readily exchanged as needed. 31. An improved commercial cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein the location includes the particular building where cleaning is to take place. 32. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus of claim 31, wherein the location in the building such as floor or area is included and can be tracked by the management system. 33. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus of claim 31 or 32, wherein the location includes identifying the apparatus being used and the location where used, to assist in management of wear and tear through use. 34. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 33, wherein the location and management system together provide data chosen from the following group on a particular apparatus: identifier; age; time of use; kind of use; warranty; spare parts replaced; and expenditure to date. 35. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 34, wherein the management system enables the manager to see the location and data available on all the apparatus at the same time. 36. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 ot 35, wherein the management system enable the manager to track usage and costs of the apparatus as well as other useful data such as warranty and spare parts schedule through use of the management system. 37. A method of use of improved commercial cleaning apparatus, the commercial cleaning apparatus including a body including a cleaning end, a cleaning means, associated with the body cleaning end, connected to a power source and operable by controls to provide cleaning to surfaces, and a locating means associated with the body to provide locating information of the improved commercial cleaning apparatus, the method including the following steps: a) Identifying commercial cleaning apparatus and giving an identifier to each machine; b) Identifying cleaning locations and giving an identifier to different geographical locations eg Workplace 1, Factory 3; c) (Optionally) further identifying areas within each cleaning location eg floors of a building; d) Operation of the cleaning apparatus to clean surfaces; e) Operation of the locating unit to collect data about the use an identified cleaning apparatus and the cleaning location and wireless communication to a remote location; f) Remote access of the data sent by the locating unit, to enable monitoring and maintenance management, without the need to physically see the apparatus, wherein the exact location of a particular machine in need of maintenance and when and what needs to occur can be determined remotely and maintenance organised. 38. The method of claim 37, wherein an initial set up step is included, to set up the identification and desired maintenance schedule for a particular apparatus. 39. The method of claim 37 or 38, wherein a storage location step is included. 40. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 39, wherein spare parts may be removed and replaced through use of magnetic attachment. 41. The method according any one of claims 37 to 40, wherein the apparatus is the apparatus in any of its forms or variants of claims 1 to 36. |
AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 24 December 2022 (24.12.2022) THE CLAIMS: 1. An improved commercial cleaning apparatus with locating services, the improved commercial cleaning apparatus including: a body including a cleaning end; a cleaning means, associated with the body cleaning end, connected to a plurality of portable swappable power sources suitable to provide an extended cleaning period of substantially 360 minutes of cleaning or more, the cleaning means being operable by controls to provide cleaning to surfaces; an IOT unit for wireless communication of data, and including a locating means associated with the body to provide locating information including a storage location of the improved commercial cleaning apparatus, wherein the improved commercial cleaning apparatus can be used for cleaning for substantially 360 minutes or more in a single session, and the location and nature of the use is recorded through use of the locating means, as well as the storage location, and the data transmitted through use of the IOT, and further wherein spare parts are removed and replaced through use of magnetic attachment. 2. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein there are 6 power units each providing substantially 60 minutes of cleaning. 3. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a long handle is included and the body is configured to be pushed over the surface by use of the long handle and operation is through use of controls on the handle. 4. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the commercial cleaning apparatus is a fully portable vacuum cleaner, including portable power source. 5. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the locating means enables the geographical location of the apparatus to be known, remotely. 6. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the locating means enables communication of data via wireless networks, from AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) the apparatus, the data being accessible likewise through cloud or wireless networks and the data includes the length of time operational, in order that the power unit charge, and maintenance schedule requirements can be monitored remotely through a remote management system. 7. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a management system is included, including access to the Cloud data so that the cleaning apparatus may be monitored remotely. 8. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the locating means is a geographical beacon locator. 9. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the internet of things (“IOT”) unit is included to enable wireless communication between the apparatus and a management system with access via wireless networks or the Cloud and monitors any one or more of the following features: expenditure on unit so far; geographical location of the apparatus; if the apparatus is operational; if the apparatus is running; run time; motor running time; kind of operation the apparatus is undertaking; spare parts replaced; warranty status; warranty time remaining; and a combination thereof. 10. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the data from the IOT unit can be accessed through a remote website or similar to enable management of the apparatus. 11. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a maintenance schedule can be based around the use of the apparatus and actual use data provided from the IOT unit through the wireless networks. 12. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the apparatus requires spare parts and the spare parts are replaced accordingly to a schedule according to the length of time of actual use as reported from the IOT unit through wireless networks to the management system. AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 13. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus of claim 12, wherein the spare parts are automatically ordered or flagged for ordering when the recommended maximum use time is approaching, through use of the IOT unit and management system. 14. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein one or more magnetic attachments are used for parts of the apparatus, to enable ready replacement and magnetic attachments are used for replaceable parts of the apparatus whereby spare parts may be readily replaced through use of the magnetic attachments. 15. An improved commercial cleaning apparatus with locating services, the improved commercial cleaning apparatus including: a body including a handle end and a cleaning end; a cleaning means, associated with the body cleaning end, connected to a power source with multiple swappable power units, and the cleaning means is operable by controls to provide cleaning to surfaces; a locating means associated with the body to provide locating information of the improved commercial cleaning apparatus; replaceable spare parts for service maintenance, replaceable through use of a magnetic connections, wherein the improved commercial cleaning apparatus is used and the location and nature of the use is recorded through use of the locating means, and when maintenance is noted by the management system, the machine and location are identified, and the required spare parts can be readily removed and replaced through use of the magnetic connections, and the long power life and easy manoeuvrability of the apparatus are suitable for commercial cleaning applications. 16. An improved commercial cleaning apparatus with locating services, the improved commercial cleaning apparatus including: a body including an elongated wand with a handle end with apparatus controls at one end, and a cleaning end at the other; a cleaning means for cleaning floors including one or more brushes, associated with the body cleaning end, connected to a power source with multiple swappable power units able to provide many hours of use when used together, and the AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) cleaning means is operable by the apparatus controls to provide cleaning of the floors; a swivel joint between the handle end and the cleaning end to enable substantially 180 degree rotation of the cleaning end through use of the handle for precision cleaning; and a locating means associated with the body to provide locating information of the improved commercial cleaning apparatus including length of time of use of the apparatus, wherein the improved commercial cleaning apparatus is fully portable and wireless, and has the benefits of the location and nature of the use of the apparatus being sent through use of the locating means to a remote management system whereby maintenance schedule and if required spare parts may be exchanged through use of magnetic attachment means, and the long power life and easy manoeuvrability are suitable for commercial cleaning applications. 17. An improved commercial cleaning apparatus with locating services and management system including: a body including an elongated wand with an ergonomic handle end, with apparatus controls at one end, and a cleaning end at the other; a cleaning means for cleaning floors including one or more brushes, associated with the body cleaning end, connected to a power source with 6 or more multiple swappable power units able to provide substantially 360 minutes or more cleaning time by swapping the power units, and the cleaning means is operable by the apparatus controls to provide cleaning of the floors; a swivel joint between the handle end and the cleaning end to enable substantially 180 degree rotation of the cleaning end through use of the handle for precision cleaning; and a locating means associated with the body to provide locating information of the improved commercial cleaning apparatus including geographical location, building, level in building, length of time of use of the apparatus, kind of use of apparatus, wherein the improved commercial cleaning apparatus is fully portable and wirelessand has the benefits of the known location and nature of the use of the apparatus being sent AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) through to a remote management system whereby maintenance is scheduled and if required spare parts exchanged through use of magnetic attachments, and the long power life and easy manoeuvrability are suitable for commercial cleaning applications. 18. An improved commercial cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the location includes the particular building where cleaning is to take place and the location in the building such as floor or area is included and can be tracked by the management system. 19. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the location and management system together provide data chosen from the following group on a particular apparatus: identifier; age; time of use; kind of use; warranty; spare parts replaced; and expenditure to date. 20. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the management system enables the manager to see the location and data available on multiple cleaning apparatus and can see the data for all the apparatus, at the same time. 21. The improved commercial cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the management system enables the manager to track usage and costs of the apparatus as well as other useful data such as warranty and spare parts schedule through use of the management system. 22. A method of use of improved commercial cleaning apparatus, the commercial cleaning apparatus including a body including a cleaning end, a cleaning means, associated with the body cleaning end, connected to a power source and operable by controls to provide cleaning to surfaces, and a locating means associated with the body to provide locating information of the improved commercial cleaning apparatus, the method including the following steps: a) Identifying commercial cleaning apparatus and giving an identifier to each machine; b) Identifying cleaning locations, including a storage location, and giving an identifier to different geographical locations eg Workplace 1 , Factory 3; c) (Optionally) further identifying areas within each cleaning location eg floors of a building; AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) d) Operation of the cleaning apparatus to clean surfaces; e) Operation of the locating unit to collect data about the use an identified cleaning apparatus and the cleaning location and wireless communication to a remote location; f) Remote access of the data sent by the locating unit, to enable monitoring and maintenance management, without the need to physically see the apparatus, wherein the exact location of a particular machine in need of maintenance and when and what needs to occur can be determined remotely and maintenance organised. AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) |
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